ICC rankings: Abhishek Sharma tops T20I batter charts; Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson rise

India left-hand opener Abhishek Sharma on Wednesday created history by reaching the highest-ever rating on the ICC Men's T20I Batter Rankings, breaking a record that had stood for almost five years.

Following a stylish half-century in India’s successful Asia Cup victory over Sri Lanka, Abhishek achieved a rating of 931 points, surpassing England right-hander Dawid Malan’s previous best of 919 points set in 2020.

The 25-year-old, who made his international debut last year, also overtook his Indian teammates Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. He finished the week with a total of 926 rating points and was adjudged Player of the Tournament for scoring 314 runs at an average of 44.85.

Ranking lead and rivals

Abhishek now leads England’s Phil Salt by 82 points in the batter rankings, while India’s Tilak Varma remains in third place after accumulating 213 runs in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka gained two places to fifth following a career-high rating after 261 runs, with teammate Kusal Perera rising to ninth. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan moved up 11 places to 13th, and India’s Sanju Samson climbed eight spots to 31st.

Bowlers maintain dominance

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy retained his No. 1 ranking among T20I bowlers after taking seven wickets at the Asia Cup. Teammate Kuldeep Yadav jumped nine places to 12th, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi moved up 12 spots to equal 13th, and Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain advanced six places to 20th in the latest rankings.

Saim Ayub tops all-rounder charts

Pakistan’s Saim Ayub displaced India’s Hardik Pandya to claim the top spot among T20I all-rounders for the first time. Ayub’s eight wickets at the Asia Cup helped him rise four places overall, leaving Pandya eight rating points behind in second. Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz moved up four spots to 13th, while Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka rose three places to equal 30th.